Just like people, dogs have different blood types and when they need a transfusion, a unit of the same blood type should be given. We type for DEA 1 in the UK and dogs can either be DEA 1 positive or DEA 1 negative. We manage our service very carefully by blood type to ensure we always have enough stock of each blood type.

Most dogs in the UK have DEA 1 positive blood type so we are very lucky to have several thousand positive blood type dogs on the donation programme. This means that our positive stock levels are usually very healthy. Dogs of this blood type will be invited to donate once or twice a year. This is to ensure we are managing our stock levels whilst also giving everyone with a positive blood type dog the opportunity to come along to a session.

Only 30% of dogs eligible to donate in the UK have DEA 1 negative blood type. Demand for this blood type is also very high because it can be given to any dog in an emergency. This means our stocks are often low. To manage our stock, negative blood type dogs will be invited to donate up to six times a year. This is why we need more dogs that are likely to have negative blood type to come forward and join our community.

Dog breeds more likely to have negative blood type are:

  • Airedale Terrier
  • American Bulldog
  • Basset Hound
  • Bearded Collie
  • Border Collie
  • Boxer
  • Curly Coated Retriever
  • Dobermann
  • Dogue de Bordeaux
  • English Bull Terrier
  • Flat Coated Retriever
  • German Shepherd
  • Greyhound
  • Lurcher
  • Saluki
  • Old English Sheepdog
  • Weimaraner

Whether your dog is positive or negative blood type, every donation makes a big difference to other dog’s lives.

We will only ask your dog to donate when we need them to

Welfare is always our priority. This means we will only ask a dog to donate blood when we know we need it. Every donor we have and every donation we receive is valued and appreciated.

We hope you will be proud of your dog being a donor, no matter how many times they donate.

Can your dog donate blood?

View our donor criteria

Register your dog

Register your dog to join our lifesaving community